Why Six?

[LightningJoe]

What was the first six-shot revolver and why six?

 

[Bezoar]

ethan allen or thurber pepperboxes were the first revolvers, various calibers were used. Can find antique action catologs online that show some in the 12 barrel range. And dont forget the colliers either.

Six chambers well, its easiest to divide a circle into even portions, and 6 is a good even portion. And besides like the old saying in Centenial, "if you need more then 5 shots in your gun, you know you shouldnt have been there in the first place."

 

[IA_farmboy]

I remember watching a show on the History Channel that a 5 shot revolver was produced for some time and became popular. A friend of the designer asked if it would be possible to add another chamber to the cylinder so that there would be six, giving a one shot advantage to the owners over the popular 5 shot revolvers. So the six shooter was born.

I think it was Colt that brought about the six shooter.

 

[RyanM]

Pretty sure the very first cap and ball revolver was 5 shots.

 

[Jubjub]

The first cartridge revolver, the S&W Model 1, is a seven shooter.

 

[armoredman]

First Colt cartridge revolver, the Cloverleaf, was a four shot, IIRC.

 

[MCgunner]

Pretty sure the very first cap and ball revolver was 5 shots.

That'd be the Paterson Colt....

 

[BlindJustice]

Yes the Patterson was a 5 shot but the subsequent
Walker, 1rst, 2nd, & 3rd Model Dragoons as well as
the 1851-1860 Army/Navy were 6 shot Were some of
the smaller .32 less than 6 shot cyl.?

 

[RyanM]

That'd be the Paterson Colt....

That's the one. had a brain fart, couldn't remember the name.

 

[JimmerJammerMrK]

its easiest to divide a circle into even portions

You can divide a circle evenly using any number of partitions.

 

[CypherNinja]

You can divide a circle evenly using any number of partitions.

360/5=72

360/6=60

360/8=45

360/7=51.428571428571428571428571428571

Some are just easier than others.